The firm will build around 57 homes, ranging from two bed apartments to four bed detached homes at the new community after acquiring 4.35 acres within the first phase of its development.

Kirkwood will be the second developer to commence construction at Countesswells after Stewart Milne Homes started building two, three and four bedroom family homes with the first residents now residing in the first neighbourhood avenue; Countesswells Park Place.

Accelerated through an £86 million guarantee from HM Treasury, Countesswells has been deemed exemplary in relation to its high quality design and delivery and heralded as a vote of confidence in the region.

The first and, so far, only homes project to be supported by a HM Treasury Guarantee Scheme in the UK, Countesswells will comprise 3,000 homes, of which 750 will be affordable, along with the infrastructure required to support the community that will include schools, informal and formal parks, leisure and healthcare facilities, as well as shops and commercial business space.

Allan McGregor, project director for Countesswells Development Limited (CDL), said: “The land packages available at Countesswells present very attractive opportunities for developers as they are fully serviced and capable of early development. This investment by Kirkwood signals both confidence in Countesswells and the wider Aberdeen market. We are pleased that Kirkwood, with its reputation for quality, will be working with us to deliver our vision for the new town to be one of the most attractive and sought-after destinations in the north of Scotland.”

Mr McGregor added: “Over the next 15 years this community is a critical project for the city region and will deliver much needed homes and community facilities. In turn these will compliment Aberdeen’s future economic sustainability and, as such, is at the forefront of housing delivery in Scotland.”

Colin Crombie, managing director at Kirkwood Homes, said: “Countesswells represents a new and exciting way of delivering housing projects of scale and we are very excited to be working with the delivery team to bring Countesswells to life. We have been impressed with the clarity of vision and attention to detail that has been applied to both the masterplan and phase one. Given the prime location, on the western edge of Aberdeen, the connectivity and sense of place, this represents a very attractive proposition for Kirkwood.”

The new community of Countesswells, which will have 3,000 new homes phased in over 15 years, will boost the local economy, support 1,000 construction jobs and create new employment opportunities in the region. A new secondary school and two primary schools, healthcare facilities, local business units, retail and leisure, together with high quality open spaces linking the community to the existing woodlands and amenities at Countesswells and Hazlehead will also be built.